[AwesomeDawson08]

We are having a major training problem with our 9 mo. old lab, Dawson. We converted a den into a bedroom and it has floor to ceiling bay windows that Dawson loves to sit in front of all day and watch the neighborhood activity. Unfortunately, when he sees a friend (or enemy) he likes to jump up against these windows (in the process, destroying mini blinds). Our biggest concern, however, is the force he hits the windows with, we think he's going to put a paw through one of them these days. Fencing and gating this room isn't practical.

Any training tips for curbing his enthusiasm about the dogs going by outside???

 

[hulkamaniac]

This room has a door I assume. Can you simply leave the door shut to keep him out?

 

[AwesomeDawson08]

The room does not have a door. It's an offshoot of the larger living area. Shutting him out of this area is not practical or possible. Just trying to find a way to make the best of his "windows to the world."

 

[TooneyDogs]

There are a couple of different approaches you can take but, both require that you be there by his side. The first is re-direction: feeding very small treats in the face of those distractions. Basically, teaching him that good things happen in their presence and changing his attitude toward them in the process. The 2nd one is to step between him and the window. Make him back-up a small step or two. You're trying to show him it's not his window/property to defend....it's yours and you are handling it. Make him back off, lay down and give lots of praise. Both methods require lots and lots of practice everytime it happens.

 

[poodleholic]

This is clearly a safety issue, given the size of your dog, and the force possible, should his excitement threshold escalate. I had a window terrorist whom I feared would crash through one day. While I worked with him, I made sure he didn't have access to the windows, and, when not possible, used everything from draperies to furniture to block his view/access.

 

[Elana55]

Agree with Poodleholic on the safety and Tooney Dogs on the training.

Add one thing: Crate train him and if you cannot be there to watch him, crate him. If you are home and he is home, unless you are with him at the windows, tether him to you so he cannot be at the windows when you are not there to work on his retraining.